Smile Train’s First Filipino Speech Therapy Language App

“Technology has allowed us at Smile Train to deliver the speech therapy needs of children with cleft throughout this pandemic. Safety is our foremost priority, and I am glad that this app allows us to safely serve the needs of these kids in the comfort and safety of their own homes.” ~Kimmy Flaviano, Smile Train’s South East Asia Director

Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, stands by its commitment to continue promoting comprehensive cleft care despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic with the launch of its online speech therapy services. With Smile Train Southeast Asia Director - Kimmy Flaviano. Hosted by Nina Corpuz, and will also be attended by Ms. Veronica Yu, Speech-Language Pathologist, faculty at the University of Sto. Tomas, and a partner of Smile Train. We’d be glad to share with you all the exciting features this app has to offer as well as the various opportunities this app can bring, not only for individuals who were born with a cleft palate but also for those who need speech-language therapy.

For the thousands of babies born with a cleft each year, speech therapy is an essential need. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has disrupted access to speech therapy services. Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, stands by its commitment to continue promoting comprehensive cleft care despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic with the launch of its online speech therapy services. 

With telehealth emerging as an important pillar of healthcare delivery in the Philippines, Smile Train Philippines is launching the very first Filipino mobile speech application in the country designed for those who were born with a cleft. The app was developed to help parents, guardians, and children in accessing speech therapy services online. With kid-friendly features and lively graphics, the app leads to a wide array of educational videos and speech therapy sessions, all in Filipino.  The app also serves as a platform for more patients and families affected with cleft to connect with healthcare professionals to ensure that they can continue to receive comprehensive cleft care with minimal disruptions.

Since the start of the pandemic, Smile Train’s speech telehealth program in the Philippines has treated over 200 patients, providing them with more than 1,000 cleft care-related sessions— including speech therapy, nutritional support, breastfeeding guidance for mothers of babies with clefts, pre-surgical consultations, and psychosocial care. Smile Train envisions the app to be more than just a platform for learning, seeing it as a way to bring more smiles to cleft-affected families in the Philippines.

The Smile Train app also addresses a glaring gap in reaching kids with a cleft.

“With the app, distance is no longer a problem. Kids may start their speech therapy sessions which they otherwise would not have started without the app. Furthermore, the app encourages more Speech Pathologists to partner with Smile Train,” said “Partnering with Smile Train is life-changing, and I know that the Smile Train app will give many speech pathologists the fulfillment of knowing that they are making a difference in people’s lives.” ~Ms. Veronica Yu, a Speech Pathologist and the Lead Content Creator of the app.

“With or without the pandemic, digitalization of health services is definitely important as it allows patients to access health services in a more cost-effective way. This is precisely what the Smile Train speech app is trying to accomplish, providing hundreds of families with cleft access to speech therapy services at little to no cost at all, wherever they may be.” ~Jeo Paz, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nifty Hero

Nifty Hero is the developer of the Smile Train app, advocating to help non-profit organizations in creating sustainable, cost-effective, and value-added health solutions to help organize, automate, and improve services offered.

The app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play in April. For more details about the app, visit http://smiletrainspeechapp.com/. For more information about Smile Train Philippines’ local efforts and to refer a patient in need, visit smiletrain.ph/get-help, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram, and like them on Facebook.

 

Smile Train with Southeast Asia Director Kimmy Flaviano and Medical Partners

Smile Train recently launched virtual speech therapy sessions with its volunteer Ms. Veronica Yu CSP-PASP, a Speech-Language Pathologist and a faculty member of the University of Sto. Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences. The world’s leading cleft organization, Smile Train Philippines recently held a virtual speech therapy session with its Global Ambassador, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, in an effort to reach and continue educating more patients with a cleft lip and/or palate amid the enhanced community quarantine.

The session was well received as it allowed viewers to ask questions about their family members experiencing difficulties with their conditions. With the support and collaboration of its donors, partners, and ambassadors around the world, Smile Train is able to transform the lives of patients with cleft and help improve their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. Even during the ECQ, Smile Train continues to find sustainable solutions such as social media to help their beneficiaries.

Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, aims to further its mission in providing free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children in need throughout the Philippines and the world.

A new Beepcard design with Smile Trains details to add to your collection with a cause with Marian Rivera on the card and a cleft patient.

Every day, 540 babies around the world are born with a cleft which is a serious health condition with potentially life-threatening complications such as difficulty eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking. 

With Dr. Edmund Mercado, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, and Ms. Giorgia Danga Speech-Language Pathologist

Dr. Edmund Mercado, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Ms. Giorgia Danga Speech-Language Pathologist

With Dr. Nikki Salvano-Valencia, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dela Salle University Medical Center Ms. Veronica Yu, Speech-Language Pathologist, Faculty, University of Santo Tomas, College of Rehabilitation Science.

With the support and collaboration of its donors, partners, and ambassadors around the world, Smile Train is able to transform the lives of patients with cleft and help improve their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. Even during the ECQ, Smile Train continues to find sustainable solutions such as social media to help their beneficiaries.

Along with its medical partners, Smile Train Philippines would like to raise awareness and share ways in which communities can help these children smile and live a normal life.  

For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph.

To learn more about how Smile Train's sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on  FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM. For more information about Smile Train’s work in the Philippines, please contact philippines@smiletrain.org.